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In Quarantine:
Life and Death on Grosse Île, 1832-1937
Introduction
In the 19th century, an increasing stream of people was leaving Europe to rebuild their lives in North America. Around 1830, an average of 30,000 immigrants arrived annually in the City of Québec, the main port of entry to Canada. Approximately two-thirds of these newcomers were from Ireland. This unprecedented immigration on the St. Lawrence River took place at a time when major cholera and smallpox epidemics were sweeping through Europe. In order to help control the spread of the diseases, the quarantine station at Grosse Île, located in the St. Lawrence River downstream from the City of Québec, was established in 1832 and operated until its closure in 1937.
Through a variety of documents preserved and digitized by Library and Archives Canada (LAC), such as lists of births and deaths at sea, hospital registers, journals, letters, photographs and maps, In Quarantine: Life and Death on Grosse Île, 1832-1937 tells the story not only of the quarantine station, but also of the individuals who experienced life on the island.
Finally, thanks to the database Immigrants at Grosse Île, thousands of digitized documents related to individuals who lived on Grosse Île are now available through this website.
LAC gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the Department of Canadian Heritage, whose financial assistance through the Canadian Culture Online Program made this work possible.
LAC also wishes to thank Parks Canada for its participation and full cooperation in the creation of this virtual exhibition. In particular, we wish to thank historian Christine Chartré, as well as writer Sébastien Caty, both of whom are employees of Parks Canada.
Thank you also to Mrs. Pierette Boulet who graciously gave us permission to include photographs from her family archives.
Finally, a special thanks goes out to all of the archivists, librarians and other LAC staff whose expertise and dedication have helped ensure the survival of the Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada documentary heritage, so that it may always be understood, honoured, accessed, and consulted.
